Get back to me form
We’ll answer your questions

How would you prefer us to contact you?

By EmailBy Phone

By learning more about sharks and how they interact with the world around them, show people why this misunderstood creature deserves to be saved.

With help from Earthwatchers, Dr. Demian Chapman has already accomplished a lot for the sharks of Belize. He’s teamed up with fishermen and the government to strengthen shark fishing regulations (shark fins are a prized soup ingredient in some parts of the world), and he secured protected status for South Water Caye, one of his long-time research sites.

These wins have taken his research into an exciting new phase, and you can get in on the ground floor. Join him for the first study of its kind: measuring how long an overfished shark population takes to recover in a newly minted marine reserve (South Water Caye). 2015 teams will also help track the species of sharks that fisherman catch using fin samples. Your work will help protect the coral reefs of Belize and the captivating predators that call them home.

From a boat under the Caribbean sky, your team will deploy baited remote underwater video cameras (BRUVs) to learn what’s happening in the water. 2014 teams will catch sharks to take tissue samples for diet analysis; beginning in 2015, teams will instead catch sharks to attach tracking tags that will allow researchers to track their movements in relation to reserve boundaries: a critical part of assessing how well the reserve is working. Help save one of the world’s most fascinating creatures—and visit some of the most beautiful reefs on Earth.

Duration

Lead scientists

Accommodations and food

Why the research is important

Why the research is important

Because sharks breed more slowly—more like mammals—than other fish, their populations have a slim chance of recovering from major losses.

Belize’s barrier reef was once a haven for sharks. Your work can help make it a haven once again.

To protect sharks and their habitat, we need to know where they spend their time. This study is the first of its kind—while we have evidence that sharks do better in marine reserves, we have no idea how long a decimated population will take to recover in a brand-new reserve. That’s one of the insights that will come out of this research. The scientists are also looking for insight into how well Belize's marine reserves foster sharks, so you'll help implant transmitters in sharks to track where they go. Essentially, researchers will know marine reserves are working if sharks spend more time inside their borders than outside.

If you join the team in 2015, you’ll help the Belizean government monitor local shark fishing. The Department of Fisheries requires fishermen to submit a fin sample of every single shark they catch, which your team will then analyze to find out what species the sample came from. By tracking exactly how many of what species have been caught, you’ll give the government the data they need to best manage and protect shark populations.

A Caribbean reef shark.

This expedition gives you a chance to make an impact today and tomorrow. You will influence policies that directly affect the sharks swimming in the ocean right now. You’ll also help with the long-term project of explaining the integral role that sharks play in their ecosystems, which is something we still don’t know much about.

About the research area

South Water Caye or Glover’s Reef, Belize, Central America & The Caribbean

You’ll be immersed in the Belize Barrier Reef, which is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest and most spectacular coral reef system in the Western Hemisphere. As a well-protected marine reserve, the research area is home to thriving populations of animals that are rare in fished areas, including groupers, snappers, many species of coral, and sea turtles. Belize’s terrestrial life is no less impressive—visitors to the jungle may spot monkeys, peccaries, and some of the 570 species of bird native to Belize.

Many people also come to Belize to explore its cultural heritage. Mayan civilization had a strong foothold here before Europeans arrived, and the remains of their ceremonial structures and cities still dot the landscape. Archaeologists think that the population of the country was much higher during the Mayan era than it is now. You’ll get the chance to work with many locals as part of this project.

Whether your team is based at South Water Caye or Glover’s Reef, you’ll work in the same beautiful settings on the same research tasks. Each day will begin with an early breakfast, and then half the team will hit the water and half will stay at the field station. Teams will:

Catch and study sharks. The team members on the boat will set out long lines to catch sharks. In the evening, they'll return to implant transmitters in and release any sharks caught and bring in the fishing equipment.

Observe ocean life. The team will set up BRUVs (baited remote underwater video cameras) at various spots in shallow water. From the field station, you'll analyze the video footage to see what sharks and other marine animals are up to.

Catalog fin samples. Also at the field station, team members will help organize and process the tissue samples taken from sharks by fishermen.

Both groups will break for lunch around midday, then switch assignments for the afternoon. There might also be time for a recreational snorkel during the day.

Not only will you get to try your hand at this wide array of research activities, you’ll also have free time to explore Belize’s many other offerings, such as bird-watching, hiking, and kayaking. After a hearty dinner, you’ll have time to socialize or relax so you’re ready to seize all this tropical wonderland has to offer when the next day begins.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

MODERATE

Take to the water with baited remote underwater video cameras (BRUVs).

MEET THE OTHER SCIENTISTS

Accommodations and Food

Accommodations and Food

Wireless Internet

Home-cooked food

You’ll stay at a field station near the ocean, either at South Water Caye or Glover’s Reef. Both stations have dorm-style rooms with electric fans, showers, and refrigerators you can use to store some personal food.

You’ll enjoy three home-cooked meals a day, although we may sometimes take packed lunches out into the field. Most meals will feature Belizean cuisine, such as stewed meat or fish with rice and beans, complemented by a few nonlocal dishes.

“Teacher becomes the student for a week”

As a science teacher, I enjoyed being back in the student seat and learning about something. The staff on the trip were phenomenal and were always willing to answer my questions. I felt like I was actually involved in collecting data and helping with their research. I can't wait to bring back what I learned to my classroom!

Star Rating:

0 stars

1 stars

2 stars

3 stars

June Carter|7/12/2017

“Sharks and Sting Rays”

This expedition was very good. The leaders were very knowledgeable, patient, caring, and personable. Learned quite a bit about these animals and the threats to their population. Opportunity to be hands on with sharks and stingrays was unique and both exciting and scary at the same time. If you are looking to be somewhere remote, this is it.

Star Rating:

0 stars

1 stars

2 stars

3 stars

4 stars

Cheyenne Newallis|4/3/2017

“Life-Changing Field Research Experience”

I had the opportunity to participate in this expedition in 2015 and 2016. It was absolutely life-changing. The IZE staff is incredible and the information and experience you gain is unparalleled. The field is the best classroom and the best way to learn and apply skills by far.

Star Rating:

0 stars

1 stars

2 stars

3 stars

Rodolphe Leca|7/20/2016

“An experience for all nature lovers”

This experience gets you closer to the world we live in, how it works and delivers a message : to protect are oceans to give the future generations the chance of living this great experience.

Star Rating:

0 stars

1 stars

2 stars

3 stars

4 stars

Madeline Calvert|7/18/2016

“A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience Working Towards the Conservation of Sharks While in Paradise!”

My International Biology teacher recommended this trip to me last spring, and I was currently looking for some sort of biology-related expedition for the summer, so I thought it would be perfect! I was originally a little worried about working with sharks, but the staff working with my team eased the stress and I never even thought about being worried once we arrived on the island. We got to participate in the research while also having tons of fun collecting data, snorkeling, fishing, and enjoying each other's company for the week. I only wish it was longer than one week! This trip is the best for someone who is interested in marine life or biology and wants to have fun. You feel involved in the research and a part of a wider effort to conserve these amazing animals. I have made some lifetime friendships while on this trip and I would highly recommend it to anyone considering joining.

Star Rating:

0 stars

1 stars

2 stars

3 stars

4 stars

Gil Osofsky|5/4/2016

“Real Impact”

The most positive impact of this experience was that I was able to confirm marine biology as my intended career path. This expedition allowed me to fully immerse myself in actual research, and it felt good to be helping in an actual conservation effort. It was evident through the briefing and the lectures that the work we did around the island could have a real impact, and that was very inspiring. I was also impressed by the scientists and people I met that were so dedicated towards their work and helping the planet.

Star Rating:

0 stars

1 stars

2 stars

3 stars

4 stars

Betsy Snow|Tuesday, June 16, 2015

“A real fun Shark Experience”

I can highly recommend this project to any volunteer that wants to learn more about sharks. The principal investigator Demien has a passion about his research and is a delight to be around. He makes the work both educational and fun. Norland and Bert (locals) were amazing with all their local knowledge and their ability to navigate around all the obstacles in the atoll.

Every day we would either set out Block rigged baits or long line baits to catch sharks. During the 5 days - we caught both nurse sharks and carribean reef sharks. Each shark was measured, tagged and a small DNA sample was taken.

Our other main activity was setting up BRUV's ( underwater baited cameras) These cameras help the researchers get an idea of the density of the shark population.

We were at the Grover Reef Research station as our base. The accommodations are basic but comfortable and the food was local and good.

Each day we went on a snorkel for fun at various places around the atoll. The visibility and abundance of fish life was excellent. On every snorkel we saw at least one reef shark.

The highlight for the trip was when we set up long line baits before dinner then went out at night to check the long line and gather information on the sharks we caught.

I can highly recommend this project to anyone who loves being out on the water most of the day and enjoys learning more about the ocean. Snorkeling the atoll is an added bonus!!!!